F1 2020 Eifel Grand Prix

© J. Francois Barnard – October 11, 2020

The Formula 1 Aramco Großer Preis der Eifel 2020 race took us to the Nürburgring in Germany - the first time since 2013 that we race here again.

The first practice session was abandoned as a thick layer of fog prevented the medical helicopter from taking off in case there was an emergency. The same happened to the second practice session. Valtteri Bottas was the fastest in the third practice session, ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari. Lance Stroll did not feel well and withdrew from the race. Racing Point again called upon the services of Nico Hülkenberg.

During a nail-biting qualifying session, Bottas, Hamilton and Verstappen exchanged places in the final qualifying rounds. In the end, Bottas qualified first, followed by Hamilton and Verstappen came in third.

The race started on a partly cloudy Sunday with Bottas and Hamilton scrapping away on lap one. Bottas retained his lead and drew away from Hamilton.

Picture credit: TechRadar

On lap 13, Lewis Hamilton closed the gap to Bottas as Bottas flat-spotted a front tyre. Hamilton took the lead, and Bottas pitted to change tyres.

Kimi Räikkönen got a ten-second penalty for causing a collision with George Russell, damaging the Brit's rear suspension. Russell had to retire from the race.

By lap 17, Albon took Kvyat's front wing off as Kvyat rejoined the race track from an excursion on the grass.

More drama came on lap 18 as Valtteri Bottas reported a power loss in his Mercedes. He pitted and had to retire from the race. The same happened on lap 26 with Lando Norris, but he managed to keep his McLaren running.

During the mid-race laps, Leclerc and Pérez exchanged places, fighting for fourth place. The DRS helped the slower Ferrari to stay with the Racing Point, but in the end, Pérez got ahead and stayed ahead on lap 35.

The safety car came out on lap 44 as Norris had to park his McLaren next to the track. His power unit eventually gave up the ghost.

Hamilton won the race, equalling Schumacher's record of 91 race wins. Verstappen came second and Ricciardo third - his first podium for the year, and his team boss can now get a tattoo.

Räikkönen broke the record held by Rubens Barrichello for the most race starts - 323 - in Formula 1.

Mick Schumacher gave a 2012 racing helmet of his father as a gift to Lewis Hamilton as a reward for equaling Michael's number of wins.10

The race classification: